Diesel Sedan

1978 300D Diesel Sedan

Astral Silver with Blue MB-Tex

43,500 documented miles since new

Power windows, A/C

Extensive $30K restoration in 2009

New home, Evanston, Illinois

Sold

We restored this car back in 2009 for a well known collector in New York who has purchased several cars from Mercedes Motoring. The car was absolutely incredible to begin with, although he insisted on a fairly major restoration at a cost of $30,000 (new paint, tons of new mechanical from a factory A/C servo unit to complete new suspension front to back, etc... detailed info below).

It's not always easy to articulate the subtle differences from one nice low mileage W123 to the next, but there definitely is a 'feel' you get from one to the next. I don't quite know what is about this 300D, but when you sit in the driver's seat it really is like being transported back in time. You feel a sense of pure originality, like you're sitting at the dealership in 1978. It's pretty incredible. Whoever gets this Mercedes-Benz will be very, very happy.

Exterior Condition: The Astral Silver paint is phenomenal. Several years ago the car received all new paint at a cost of $16,000. It was stripped to bare metal and redone by a reputable company in Newport Beach, CA. The car underwent an extensive restoration several years ago. That work included, but is not limited to a complete new grill assembly (i.e., housing, badge, star, mesh, crossbars with corresponding clips, hood release and gasket), new hood insulation pad, new OEM Bosch headlight doors, new OEM Bosch turn signal lenses, new OEM tail lights, new trunk emblems and star, new trunk seal, complete new front and rear bumpers (i.e., blades, impact strip, spacers and end caps), new hood misters, complete new body molding kit, rocker molding kit, belt molding kit, new cowl vent grills, new headlamps, new foglamps, new passenger sideview mirror, new front and rear windshield seal, new door handle gaskets and era correct pinstripe. The polished anodized aluminum trim, which wraps all of the exterior glass, is brilliant and shines free of any fading, a telltale indicator of a car that has been garage kept. Both front and rear bumpers are in excellent like-new condition, as are the impact strips, spacer and end caps. The original Bundt wheels are in excellent condition and were painted during the restoration along with new lugnuts and new center caps. The original 14” Bundt spare with corresponding Pirelli Cinturato P3 195/70/SR14 tire has never been used. The jack and tool kit are brand new as well. The trunk compartment is excellent. Driver side door seal and trunk seal are brand new along with front and rear windshields. All other original seals are in great shape and still soft and pliable. All factory glass is original and in excellent condition. Original factory stickers and data plate on door jam and engine compartment are intact and excellent.

NOTE: THE UNDERCARRIAGE STILL HAS TRACES OF THE ORIGINAL PROTECTIVE COSMOLINE UNDERCOATING.

Interior Condition: The interior of this sedan is absolutely stunning. The Blue MB-Tex is in perfect, like new condition. There are no rips, no tears, no fading, no diminished support in the padding, no pleats that have shifted beneath the stitching, and virtually no wear whatsoever. The parcel nets hold tightly against the front seat backrests. The original loop carpet is flawless, without any stains, fading or unraveling, and virtually no wear at all. The OEM carpets are also protected by a 5-piece custom era correct sisal mat kit. The zebrano wood dash trim is stunning! It is clear and deep with a durable shine, and there are absolutely no cracks or fading. The headliner looks brand new. The sun visors and sun visors bolster are spectacular and look untouched. The MB-Tex door panels and heat-pressed inserts are crisp, tight and look brand new. The map pockets are equally impressive and have no cracks, scuffs or tears. The wind lace and B-pillar felts are brand new. The original unopened first-aid kit appears to have never been used. The accessory switches, knobs, buttons, turn signal lever, cruise control lever, etc. are in excellent condition without any faded symbols, and they are all in proper working order. The steering wheel is firm to the grip without any twisting or slack. The car underwent an extensive restoration several years ago. That work included, but is not limited to a brand new window switches, dome light switch, power antennae switch, rear window defrost switch, removed and restored original Becker Europa II Stereo and removed and restored instrument cluster (i.e., calibrated speedometer, painted needles, repaired clock, etc.).

Mechanical Condition: This sedan runs absolutely excellent! It starts, drives and handles fantastic. It has been driven regularly, but sparingly since new, and has never sat for any extended period of time. It has been exceptionally well maintained since new, and has never missed a single scheduled service. It's durable and fuel efficient 3.0 liter, 5-cylinder diesel motor is smooth and strong, and it gets an average of 27 MPG. Cold starts are instantaneous, which is a validation to its low miles. The motor, chassis and engine compartment are all exceptionally clean and dry. There are no leaks of any kind. The transmission shifts sure, timely and proper. Independent suspension is solid and comfortable, and the steering is tight and responsive without any play. The car underwent an extensive restoration several years ago. That work included, but is not limited to a major 30,000 mile service including valve adjustment, all new filters, all new fluids, all new belts and hoses, new battery, new A/C servo, new quick-glow starting kit, new master cylinder and reservoir, new fuel injectors, new oil pan, new tie rod ends, new drag link, new steering shock, new upper and lower control arm bushings, new front and rear brake pads, new rotors, all new fuses, rebuilt Hirshmann power antennae including new mast There are currently no pending maintenance issues.